There are few things in life that hurt more than missing someone. In our short time on earth, we’d like to spend this time with those who are most precious to us. But this may not always be possible. Maybe your loved one moved away, or you grew apart with them due to circumstances, or maybe they passed away. Losing someone is always hard, no matter how it happens.
Music can be a way of processing the feelings that you’re bottling up inside. We’ve put together a list of some songs about missing someone to help you grieve your loss. Creating a playlist can serve as a distraction while also helping you process your feelings in the long run.
When creating a playlist consisting of songs about missing someone, it’s important to keep in mind that the song selections that we’re recommending are just that. If there are songs that are personal to you or your loved one, then you can definitely include them as well.
But with the vast variety of songs that exist, coming up with a mere 10 or 20 songs can seem like a daunting task. Well, we’re there for you, and we’ve made a list of the 19 Greatest Songs About Missing Someone.
1) Yesterday (The Beatles)
One of their most-covered songs, Yesterday is a song about how we’re always longing for times when things were simpler, a time when our loved ones were still in our lives.
2) Candle in the Wind (Elton John)
Perhaps the most well-known funeral song given its context, Candle In the Wind was written in memory of Marilyn Monroe, who had died 11 years prior. It was re-written and released 25 years later following the tragic death of Princess Diana.
3) Tears In Heaven (Eric Clapton)
One of the saddest songs about missing someone in heaven, this ballad by Clapton was written following the death of his 4-year-old son, Conor. Despite his loss, Clapton is hopeful about seeing his son again in heaven. A bittersweet funeral song that is sure to invoke some strong emotions.
4) Everybody Hurts (R.E.M)
While no one likes being sad, it’s one of the things that reminds us that we’re all humans. No matter how tough you are, it’s alright to feel pain and just cry it out once in a while.
5) My Heart Will Go On (Celine Dion)
The instantly recognizable hit from Titanic, this song is a timeless classic that moves people through Dion’s melodic vocals while she sings about how her heart will go on, despite the losses.
6) Gravity( Sara Bareilles)
The memories we made with a loved one will always be with us. Sometimes, the pain of that separation is what helps us become stronger. Gravity is about the struggles of moving on.
7) If Tomorrow Never Comes (Garth Brooks)
Human beings are often victims of not living in the moment. They worry about what may be or what was rather than focusing on the present. If Tomorrow Never Comes is about not taking our lives for granted and living every day to the fullest.
8) Goodbye’s the Saddest Word (Celine Dion)
A song for Mothers around the world, this song is about the importance of being there for the one person who has always been there for you no matter what. Your mom.
9) See You Again (Charlie Puth)
Released as a tribute to the late Paul Walker, See You Again is a song about hope. The hope of seeing each other again despite parting ways right now. This is a perfect funeral song for somebody you love that might have passed away.
10) Live Forever (Oasis)
This is a song that reminds us that our loved ones never truly leave us, for they live on through our memories of them. A funeral service is about remembering our loved ones, and this classic funeral song reminds us that it’s never really over.
11) You’ll Never Walk Alone (Judy Garland)
A song about having your loved ones by your side, even when it might seem like they’re not, Garland sings that whatever happens in life, you’ll never walk alone.
12) Jealous (Josh Daniel)
A perfect example of how a song can be interpreted in a number of ways, this version of Labrinth’s song serves as a tribute to a loving friend that would make even the hardest of people shed a tear.
13) Someone Like You (Adele)
No one is replaceable, and losing a loved one is one of the hardest things that a person goes through. Even if we may never get over the loss, this song about lost love serves as a sort of self-assurance that everything will eventually be alright.
14) Who Wants to Live Forever (Queen)
As the mercurial frontman of Queen was suffering from AIDS, this song was written by lead guitarist Brian May. It discusses the innate human fear of death, while also asking the question of who would actually want to live forever.
15) Wish You Were Here (Pink Floyd)
Sometimes, you really don’t know how important someone was until you lose them. Wish You Were Here is a song about longing for that person who’s no longer in your life.
16) I Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing (Aerosmith)
From the soundtrack of the movie, Armageddon, this song is about how you always want to stay by the side of your loved one. You never want to miss a moment with them.
17) Lay Me Down (Sam Smith)
One of most heart-wrenching songs about losing someone, this Sam Smith ballad mourns the death of his loved one, wishing that he too could be laid down with his beloved.
18) Faithfully (Journey)
A song that is unique in its structure due to the absence of a chorus, Faithfully delivers the message of how people are capable of enduring great hardships to be with the ones they love.
Funerals can be somber affairs, and it should be noted that creating a playlist and playing it is done in accordance with the deceased’s wishes from when they were alive. Now that you’ve got an idea on songs missing someone, check out the Top 30 Funeral Songs of All Time for a more comprehensive guide on creating a general playlist.
